In 2013, Papua Sees 20 Cases of Violence to Journalists

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In 2013, the Jayapura branch of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has recorded 20 cases of intimidation and violence to the journalists in both Papua and West Papua provinces. The figure has showed a significant increase of such cases compared to that in 2012, which were 12 cases.

Of those 20 cases, 4 cases have happened in West Papua province and 16 took place in Papua province. "Most of those violent actions were directly done through verbal intimidation such as threats and mocks or physical violence such as vandalism, or breaking into the editorial office without permits and end up in beating incidents," said Chairman of Jayapura AJI, Victor Mambor, during a press conference in Jayapura, Papua, yesterday.

According to the data of Jayapura AJI, the perpetrators of violence to the journalists in 2013 were still the same as the ones during the period of 2010-2012. "People from the police, other than those from the general public, have often become those who often commit violence to journalists," he said.

However, Victor admitted that relations between the police and journalists in Papua have been relatively better despite the fact the police have reportedly committed eight cases of violence and intimidation to journalists, out of 20 cases recorded by AJI Jayapura in 2013.

The number of cases of violence committed by the police to the journalists has doubled as opposed to that in last year, which saw only four cases.

CUNDING LEVI